Renter's Guide to Bradenton

Welcome to sunny Bradenton, Florida! According to a Gallup poll, Bradenton has the highest financial well-being ranking in the country, and is in third place for highest overall well-being. If that weren't enough, Movoto.com rated it the third-best small city in the US to retire.

Located just 13 miles from the city of Sarasota, Bradenton boasts a decent cost of living, great weather, a low crime rate, and amenities fit for any age.

At around 14 square miles, Bradenton is nearly half the size of Sarasota. It’s located on the Gulf Coast, and is a mere 19 miles from Siesta Key, 21 miles from St. Petersburg, and only 45 minutes from Tampa.

You’ll love living in Bradenton. After all, the city gets 249 days of sun per year, and although the average high temperature in July is a steamy 90 degrees, January’s average high hovers around a comfortable 70°F.

Bradenton, FL Demographics

Total Population81,825

Female39,876

Male41,949

Median Age47.4

Cost of Living in Bradenton, FL

The cost of living in Bradenton is 4% lower than the average in the U.S.

For starters, your essential morning Cappuccino will cost $3.72 on average, and a night on the town with a three-course meal for two will cost about $47.50. Basic utilities for a 915 square-foot apartment average around $132.24 – that's electricity, water, and waste disposal.

Manatee County Area Transit buses are a reasonable alternative to driving on the busy Florida highways. Fares range from $1.50 for adults to free for older seniors and kids under 5. There are also monthly passes from $40 to $65.

Another neat way to get around is the free trolley system that operates in Bradenton, as well as on the nearby islands.

Living in Bradenton, FL

That's right. If living within 20 miles of beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico isn’t enough for you, there are also several islands just off Bradenton's coast.

And not only does the city have an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from, it also has a thriving arts community.

Of course, Bradenton does have some negatives, though they mostly come from the weather. It’s hot most of the year and the humidity level hovers around 27 percent. And because it’s on the Gulf Coast, the city's often in the path of hurricanes.

Things to do in Bradenton

You'll never run out of things to do in Bradenton, FL. Downtown has several fun activities for the kids, like visiting the Parker Manatee Aquarium and Bishop Planetarium. The Aquarium is home to Snooty the Manatee, one of the oldest manatees in the world.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team holds their spring training in Bradenton, and nearby Tampa is home to the NFL’s Buccaneers, the NHL’s Lightning, and the MLB's Rays. Or you can stick to Bradenton and catch a Marauders' minor league baseball game.

Care for some shopping? Bradenton's Red Barn Flea Market Plaza is a can't miss and features both flea market vendors and a farmer’s market. Music lovers will want to check out the Annual Bradenton Blues Fest Weekend, which takes place every December.

Along the shore of the Manatee River is the beautiful Riverwalk. It features a 1.5 mile park with family activities, a splash fountain, a playground, the Mosaic Amphitheater, a fishing pier, and “Outdoor Living Rooms” for peaceful relaxation. The Riverwalk also has a skate park, as well as a place to launch your kayak or canoe.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Bradenton's parks. Lewis, Love, Ballard, and Manatee Mineral Springs parks all feature playgrounds for kids, gazebos, and picnic benches. The TreeUmph! Adventure Course provides zipline and rope course excitement for thrill-seekers, and Paradise Boat Tours are available to take you and the family on a dolphin-watching adventure.

Last but not least, the Robinson Preserve salt marsh has an abundance of activities, both in and out of the water.

The city's culture comes from its commitment to the arts. Bradenton’s Village of the Arts is a 36-acre cultural hub for artists and residents, home to more than 100 galleries, workshops, studios, and restaurants.

ArtCenter Manatee in downtown Bradenton has 10,000 square-feet of galleries and classrooms, along with an art library and gift shop. Then there's ArtSlam, an annual public art festival that puts all of the city’s culture on display.

If you're in the mood for some live entertainment, the Manatee Performing Arts Center is home to The Manatee Players, a theatre ensemble that has won several first-place spots in the Florida Theatre Conference.

Employment and Economy

Good news for Bradenton job seekers: job growth for the next 10 years is projected at 44 percent.

Not only that, WalletHub.com proclaimed Bradenton the 21st best city in Florida for jobs and 6th for available job opportunities.

Some of those opportunities come from the various major companies headquartered in the city. The production facility for Tropicana Products, the world’s largest orange juice producer, is in Bradenton, as is the headquarters for sports-apparel giant Champs Sports.

The chain department store, Bealls, also calls Bradenton home. The City of Bradenton government offices employ a large number of employees too, as does the Manatee Memorial Hospital.

For public schools, the State College of Florida Collegiate School is a U.S. News and World Report nationally-ranked high school. The Gene Witt Elementary School is one of the top schools in the city for Pre-K through fifth grades.

Bradenton, FL Education Statistics

No High School4%

Some High School32%

Some College21%

Associate Degree10%

Bachelor Degree20%

Graduate Degree13%

Tips for Renting in Bradenton

Ready for the move? Before you pack your bags, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Renters rights in Bradenton are the same as the rest of the state of Florida. For instance, landlords have to provide you with essential utilities, like electricity and water, as well as maintain livable facilities.

Any landlord who doesn't is liable to reimburse you for any necessary repairs you make on your own.

In the unfortunate event that you forget to pay rent, you'll have three days to make a late payment before the landlord can start the eviction process.

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